Phonographic system



o. M. DUNNING 2,146,425 PHoNoGRABHIo SYSTEM 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 4Feb. 7, 1939;?` f

Feb. 7, 1939.

o. M. DUNNYING PHONOGRAFHIC SYSTEM Filed March 2l, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 xNvENToR Url/ille M. Danni/1g BY o Z ATTORNEY- Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE PHONOGRAPHIC SYSTEM Application March 21,

14 Claims.

This invention relates to phonographic systems, and more particularly to means and methods for controlling the operation thereof. While not in all aspects limited thereto, the invention has particular reference to systems comprising a plurality -of phonographs adapted for alternate, or sequential, operation to provide uninterrupted recordation of continuing matter.

vIn the co-opending application of myself and Richard M. Somers, Serial No. 24,238, filed May 31, 1935, on which Patent Number 2,075,978 has now been issued, there have been disclosed control means for such systemsoperable when de- F sired at a point remote from the phonographs l" proper, an attendant then for example successively supplying the phonographs with fresh records and restoring them to recordation initiation conditions, as required. The instant invention comprises among other things improvements on, and

simplified alternatives to, the control means disclosed in that application. Thus for example one characteristic of the conrol means disclosed in that application was the provision in the control station of a respective starting switch for each phonograph of the plurality; a feature of the instant invention is the elimination of the requirement for a plurality of starting switches, and the,

selection of the appropriate phonograph for starting at any time as a purely automatic function.

Another feature of the instant invention comprises a mutual connection for a plurality of phonographs and associated control station, which by mere simplification and with minor alteration becomes adapted for the efficient control of a single phonographpermitting a high' degree of standardization of equipment for both plural and single phonograph installations.

Still another feature of the invention deals with simple, effective, and in each case appropriate 40 signalling atboth the control station and at the phonographs themselves of the condition of the system.

It is an object of the invention to improve the operation of systems of the class described. It is another object to simplify the control means for such systems.

It is another object to render automatic the starting of an appropriate one of the phonographs when such a system is first placed in operation.

It is another'object to provide, in a system of sequentially operable plural phonographs; im-

proved and simplified means for starting the phonographs in appropriate order, particularly in the first instance.

It is another object to provide, in such a system 1936-, Serial N0. 70,042

having individual starting means for the several phonographs, improved and simplified actuating circuits for said means. l

It is another object to facilitate the apt manipulation or servicing of the phonographs by the 5 attendant.

It is another object to provide simplied and improved arrangements for indicating to the user (e. g., toone whose dictation is being thereby recorded) the condition of the system.

It is another object to provide generallyimproved and simplified indicating means for a system of the class described.

A further object is to provide a control station interchangeably adapted for use with single and plural phonograph systems.

Other and allied objects vvill more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system of two phonographs and control station therefor according to my invention;

Figure 1a is a fractional diagram of an alternative connection for certain switch means in each phonograph, the two parts of the figure being intended for optional substitution for the respectively corresponding portions of Figure 1; and

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a single phonograph system, illustrating the use therein of the same control station as shown in Figure 1, and of essentially unaltered internal phonograph wiring.

Reference is first invited to Figure 1, wherein have been illustrated the plurality of phonographs comprising phonographs A and B, the control station C, and the phonograph coupling unit D. The phonographs proper may iirst be described, with particular reference to phonograph A; it will be understood that phonograph B is mechanically similar, itsillustrated components having been designated with numbers similar to those for the corresponding components of phonograph A, excepting that they have been furnished with prime marks. Each phonograph may comprise for example a mandrel i0 adapted to carry a cylindrical record; a sound box 1- adapted to record on and/or reproduce from such a record and adapted to be driven longitudinally thereof as along a guide 8 by means of feed screw 8a; a motor suitably arranged to produce rotational movement of the mandrel and longitudinal movement (in a right-hand direction as illustrated) of the sound box; and optionally a clutch interposed between the motor and the parts thereby moved. The sound boxes may be of any known variety, as may also the means for energizing the same-not shown herein because forming no part of the instant invention.

The supply of current for the entire system may be derived from any suitable supply line as through the plug I3, rendering at respectively opposite line potentials the conductors Il and I2. The conductor I2 has beenshown leading only to the main line switch I4 in the controllstation C, to the other side of which is connected the conductor I2a leading from the control station into each phonograph; the conductor I2a is of course invested with the potential of conductor I2 when the switch I4 is closed, which will be assumed throughout the-balance of the descripltion. There is also provided inthe control station a switching device in the form of a doublepole, double-throw switch 80; this is. hereinafter more particularly referred to, but it may at this point be mentioned that during normal operation of the system this device is in the left-thrown position with poles 80p touching contacts 80m and BUn as shown, investing with the same potential as conductors I2 and I2a the conductor I2b leading from the contact 80m into both phonographs, and the conductorY I 2c leading from the contact 80u into the coupling unit D. For convenience these have been shown in heavy lines conductors II and I2, and all conductors I2a, I2b, I2c connected to the latter when both switch I4 is closed and switching device 80 is leftwardly thrown.

In each phonograph the immediate device for controlling its operation and non-operation is a control member, for example an arm 2I, responsive to a magnet assembly |00. This assembly may comprise a pair of stop and start electromagnets 20 and 2I, respectively, the control arm being responsive in its position to the last actuated of the two magnets; preferably the magnet assembly has associated therewith a switcharranged upon each control arm response to opencircuit the magnet to which the response has occurred. Avariety of systems are obviously available for the control arm, magnet assembly and switch; but I have preferred to employ for this purpose, and have schematically illustrated, a system which is in accordance with the teachings of U. S. Letters Patent to Langley, No. 1,380,486. issued June 7, 1921. Herein the control arm 21 comprises an armature portion 28 arranged for alternate attraction by the magnets; and the switch conveniently includes the control arm itself as a pole, connected to conductor II, and a pair of contacts 22 and 23 respectively in series with the stop and start magnets 20 and 2|, the control arm having two possible positions onlyi. e., touching one or the other of the contacts. The actuation of each magnet is effected through the switch; and it will be seen that the contacts are so arranged that the control arm comes to a position touching one (e. g., in phonograph A, touching contact 22, in series with stop magnet 20) in response to actuation of the respectively opposite magnet (e. g., start magnet 2|), the latter magnet being thereby open-circuited at its series contact (e. g., 23). This arrangement, wherein each magnet upon actuation both throws the control arm and open-circuits itself, has among its distinct advantages those of obviating wasteful and excessively heating continuations ofcurrent ow through the magnet, and of enforcing a strictly alternate actuation of the two magnets.

Each phonograph is of course intended to operate only when its start magnet 2| or 2I' has last been actuated, and its contact 22 or 22 is ltherefore connected with conductor II by the control arm (e. g., thatarm is in its run position, as has been illustrated in phonograph A). When operation and non-operation of each phonograph is to be eiected by making Yand breaking the connection of the motor to one of the line potential conductors (e. g., II or I 2a), the performance of this function by the control arm is readily caused by the simple connection of the motor in each phonograph from the conductor I2a tothe contact 22 or 22' therein. A clutch control of operation and non-operation has also been illustrated in each phonograph and may be employed additionally to the making and breaking of the motor circuit, or alternatively thereto (the motors then being permissibly connected directly between conductors I2a and l1). 'The illustration of this clutch control consists in the schematically indicated levers 26 and 26' respectively connecting the control arms 21 and 21 with the corresponding clutches; when the control arm and hence the lever are to the left (as shown in phonograph B) the clutch will be understood to be disengaged, and when to the right (as in phonograph A) the clutch will be understood to be engaged.

The operation control devices, or control arms and magnet assemblies, immediately included in each phonograph having thus been described, attention may be directed to the control means by .which those devices are appropriately actuated. In most general organization, these control means are similar to those disclosed in the co-pending application above referred to, comprising a system of starting and stopping circuits respectively including the several magnets, these circuits extending between the several phonographs and being arranged to be closed (and thus to actuate the respectively included'magnets) automatically in accordance with sound box positions in the several phonographs; together with a control station switching device which may be manipulated either to energize this automatic system so that it will maintain itself in operation as stated, or to actuate directly all the stop magnets so that operation of the entire system is stopped. (It will be understood that in this application I use the term energization of a circuit, or of the automatic system of circuits, to denote the appropriate supply thereto of a potential capable of actuating the included magnet; not to denote the actual actuation of that magnet, which of course requires in addition the closing of the circuit.) The control means of the instantA invention differ most signicantly from those of the mentioned co-pending disclosure in respect of the structure by and manner in which the automatic system is placed in operation when r'st energized, as will hereinafter appear.

Before describing the automatic system of starting and stopping circuits it is convenient to describe the switching means in each phonograph which form portions of those circuits, and cause them to close at the proper times in accordance with sound box positions; such description is conveniently presented with reference to phonograph A, wherein will be seen in succession the three pairs of contacts 5 6, 3-2, and 4-I. Each pair may be arranged in radial alignment with a pivot point I9; pivoted to this point is an arm I8 whose function is to connect together that pair of contacts over which it is positioned. Considering the pair of contacts 5-6 to form a switch 65, the pair 3 -2 to form a switch 32, and the pair 4-I to form a switch -4I, one may say that the arm I8 alternately closes these three switches. The circumferential spacing of the pair of contacts 3-2 from the pair 5-6 is preferably as little as possible more than sufficient to preclude the arm I8 fromv simultaneously touching contacts of those two pairswhile the spacing of the pair 4-I from the pair 3-2 may if desired be liberally greater. The arm I8 is biased, as by spring I'I, to leftward movement (i. e., toward the extreme contact pair 6 5), but bystop I6 is limited as to such movement to a position over that pair; thus normally the switch is closed, while the switches 32 and 4I are open. The arm I8 rests in this position when the sound box 'I is at its left-hand (or initial) travel limit, and throughout most of its rightward travel; 'as the terminal travel limit is approached, however, a projection 9 (provided for this purpose on the sound box) impinges against the arm I8, and further sound box travel moves ythe arm I 8 rightwardly first to open' switch 65 andclose switch 32, then to open switch 32, and finally to close switchll. Corresponding switch means, sound box projection, etc. are of course provided in phonograph B, their designating lnumerals being provided with prime marks.

The immediate description of the three switches in each one phonograph may be completed by a brief consideration of their immediate functions, with-reference for convenience to phonograph A. Switch 32 forms a successive starting switch-il e-., for the next phonograph B, its contact 2 being connected by conductor 4 0 with phonograph B contact 5- and is closed for a short interval when the phonograph A sound box 'I is near but not quite at its terminal travel limit. Switch 4I forms a self-stopping switch for phonograph A, its contact I being connected by conductor 5l to the non-contact extremity of the phonograph A stop magnet 20; it is closed as the sound box reaches its terminal travel limit, but sufficiently after the next phonograph has been started bythe switch 32 to afford a slight overlap of recordation by the two phonographs. Switch 65 forms a protective switch for phonograph A, its contact 6 being connected in series with box positions in phonograph B, may give rise to a sustained run-stop oscillation of the contro] arms of the two machines. The connections outlined in this paragraph for phonograph A are of course duplicated for phonograph B, with appropriate priming or unpriming of the designating numerals.

In the automatic system attention is rst conveniently directed to the stopping circuits for the several phonographs; all of these are simultaneously energized when the station switching device 80 is thrown to the left as shown, investing with the conductor I2 potential the conductor I2b. The latter conductor is seen to be connected to the contacts `4 and 4' in the two phonographs. The stopping circuit for phono? graph Avmay thus traced from conductor I2b through self-stopping switch 4I, conductor 54, stop magnet 20, contact 22 and control arm 21 to conductor II; and an entirely analogous stopping circuit will be seen in phonograph B.

Consideration may now be given to the starting circuits,`attention being first invited to the fact that in Figure 1 the contacts 3 and 3 have been shown connected by the respective jumpers 34 and 34 to the respective contacts 4 and 4 and thus both to the conductor I2b--which with switching device 8B leftwardly thrown is invested with conductor I2 potential. The starting circuit for phonograph A may be traced from the contact 3 in phonograph B through the successive starting switch 32 and the conductor 40 to contact 5 in phonograph A, and in the latter phonograph through the protective switch 65, start magnet 2I, contact 23 and arm 21 to conductor II. Conversely the starting circuit for phonograph B may be traced from the contact 3 in phonograph A through the successive starting switch 32 and the conductor 40 to contact 5' in phonograph B, and in the latter phonograph through the protective switch 65', start magnet 2I, contact 23 and arm 2l toconductor II.

At this point it is convenient to describe the manner in which the automatic system of circuits, as so far set forth, operates after having been placed in operation-a manner which will be seen to be in general similar to that of the automatic system of the mentioned co-pending application. Let it be assumed that the phonograph A is in operation, with its sound box at some intermediate point in its rightward travel; and that the phonograph B is out of, but in readiness for, operation--ie., has its sound box at its initial or leftward travel limit and has a fresh record inserted upon its mandrel. Since the phonograph A is in operation, its control arm 21 'is of course in its run position, completing 2D in condition for next actuation. In phonograph B, out of operation, the arm 21' has last been attracted by the stop magnet 20 to occupy its stop position, placing the start magnet 2|' in condition for next actuation. These conditions are those illustrated in Figure 1.

When the sound box projection 9 of the now operating phonograph A impinges against the arm I8, the protective switch 65 first opens-precluding the subsequent actuation of the phonograph A start magnet 2| until the sound box I has been manually moved leftwardly. Upon negligible further'travel of the sound box 'I the arm I8 will have been moved'suifciently to close the successive starting switch 32; this closes the phonograph B starting circuit (the phonograph B protective switch 65 being in its normal closed condition), actuatingthe phonographBstart magnet 2|' and moving the control arm 21 to its run position touching contact 22'; this places the phonograph B in operation. For a brief interval at this juncture both phonographs will be operating, so that a slight overlap of the recordations by the two phonographs will be effected. Slight further travel of the phonograph A- sound box 'I will open the successive starting switch 32 and thus the starting circuit of phonograph B; but this .is of no significance, since that starting circuit is already open at contact 23'. Still further slight travel of the phonograph A sound box I closes the self-stopping switch 4I, closing the phonograph A stopping circuit, actuating the stop magnet 20, and moving the control arm 21 to its stop" position touching conoperation and component positions will now be seen to be quite reversed from those assumed at g the beginning of the preceding paragraph; and

the operations of that paragraph are accordingly repeated, but in each 'case as to the respectively opposite phonograph and components. And upon completion of these operations as to phonograph and components, the operations precisely as described in the preceding paragraph are repeated; and so on, in an automatic progression which will be unbroken except by the failure to restore one of the sound boxes leftwardly tothe beginning of its travel 4path during the travel of the other sound box. In the event of failure so to restore the sound box of either phonograph, the closing of its starting circuit (by the closing of the successive starting switch 32 or 32 on the opposite phonograph) is prevented by the open condition of its own protective switch 65' or 65, and upon the stopping of the opposite phonograph the entire system will be out of operation, with both arms 21 and 21' in their stop positions.

'I'he continued operation of the automatic system having been so described, attention may be directed to the arrangements by which that operation is stopped at will. These are comprised in the station switching means 80, being the right-shown contacts h and 80h' thereof (illustrated as open). These are respectively connected by the conductors 54a and 54a' to the respective contacts I and I' and respective conductors 54 and 54'. When the station switching means 80 is thrown from left-shown to right-shown position-i. e., from contacts' 80m- 8011. to the contacts 80b-80b-the automatic system is disconnected from conductor I2a and thus deenergized; and the conductors (54, 54') leading to all the stop magnets (20, 20') are connected to conductor I2a, thus applying an energizing potential directly to those magnets and actuating them all. This places all the control arms (21, 21') in their "stop positions, and the entire system thus out of operation. y

A very important feature of the instant invention deals with the arrangements for putting the automatic system into operation in response merely to leftward throwing of the station switching device 80'; this throwing of course causes the application to the automatic system of conductor I2 potentiaL'thus energizing that system. 'With that system as so far described, however,- this would not result in starting of either phonograph -for, while each starting circuit is closed at its contact 23 or 23' by the respective control arm (21, 21') and (assuming both phonographs in readiness for operation with sound boxes not near their terminal travel limits) at its protective switchA (65, 65'), it is isolated from the energizing potential of conductor I2 by the open condition of its respective successive starting switch (32', 32). It is therefore necessary upon leftward throwing of the station switching device 80 additionally to apply conductor I2 potential to one of the starting circuits at such a point that that \circuit shall immediately operatei. e., on the contact 2' or 2 side of the successive starting switch located on the opposite phonograph-or in other words to apply conductor I2 potential to one of the start magnets for immediate actuation thereof; this potential application must of course be restricted to one only of these circuits or magnets Tn the disclosure of the co -pending application this restriction was obserJed by effecting this potential application through some single one of a plurality of thereto provided extra switches in the control station, respectively corresponding to the several phonographs. According to the instant invention, however, this restricted application is effected, upon mere leftward throwing of switching device 80, by an automatic selecting device which may be considered as coupling the two phonographs together and conveniently forming the principal component of the coupling unit D.

This device is shown as a selector relay 300, which may structurally be entirely similar to each of the magnet assemblies |00 and |00 of the respective phonographs, excepting that it is provided with two additional arms and sets of therewith co-operating contacts. The two magnets of the relay, designatedas 22| 'and 22|', have their non-contact extremities respectively connected by the respective conductors 55a and 55a' to the non-contact extremities of the start magnets 2| and 2|', and may respectively be termed the A" and B magnets of the relay. In Vseries with these magnets respectively are the contacts 223 and 223'; the arm 221 is provided,

electricalr connected with the conductor II and mechanically carrying the magnet-responsive armature 228; and, analogously to the control arms in the before-described magnet assemblies, the arm 221 comes into a position touching one of the contacts (e. g., its A position as illustrated, touching contact 223') in response to actuation of the magnet not connected to that contact (e. g., the A magnet 22| thereby open-circuiting the latter magnet at its own series contact (e. g., 223). The additional arms are designated as 231 and 241, respectively, and their sets of co-operating contacts as 233- 233' and 243-243', respectively; the additional arms are mechanically linked to the arm 221 to move in accordance with the movement of that arm. The relay arm 241 and its contacts 243-243' perform an auxiliary function.

hereinafter discussed. The relay arm 231 is connected to the conductor I2c (which with station switching device 80 leftwardly thrown is invested d with conductor I2 potential), and the contacts 233 and 233' co-operating with that arm are respectively connected by the conductors 40a and 40a' to the respective conductors 40' and 40'- which will be recognized as intermediate points in the phonograph A and phonograph B starting circuits inside of the respective successive starting switches (32' and 32) for those circuits. It may be considered that, with switching device 80 leftwardly thrown, the switches formed by arm 231 with contact 233 and by the same arm with contact 233 are respectively in parallel with those successive starting switches (32 and 32, for phonograph A and B starting circuits respectively).

The arm 231 and contacts last mentioned are those which perform the primary relay function of causing, upon leftward throwing of switching device 80, an immediately effective conductor I2 potential application to one only of the starting circuits. The function of the arm 221, with its contacts and the magnet assembly 300, is to determine to which of the starting circuits this application takes place. The fA and "B relay magnets being connected to the start magnets of the A and B phonographs, respectively, the arm 221 will occupy its A or B position according to the arm 221 might theretofore already have been fresh record insertion).

occupying its A position, the A relay magnet coil is open-circuited at its series contact 223 and the arm 221 will remain in "A position throughout the actuation of magnet 2|, thus establishing the prescribed relationship. 'I'his prescribed position of arm 221 in correspondence with that start magnet which has last been actuated is not disturbed by rightward throwing of switching device 80 to actuate all the stop magnets and stop the system; and accordingly at the instant of leftward throwing of switching device l0 to start the system the relay arm 221 will still occupy the same position. The arrangement of the contacts 233 and 233 is such that when arm 221 is in its A position the conductor l2 potential application will occur to the phonograph A starting circuit conductor 4|), and that when arm 2 21 is in its "B" position the application will occur to the B starting circuit conductor 40'; this arrangement comprises the illustrated placement of the unprimed contact 233 to be touched by arm 231 when the primed contact 223 is touched by arm 221..

With this arrangement, if the system has beexr stopped by the throwing of switching device 8l in the middle of recordation upon one phonograph, it will be that phonograph of which operation will be resumed upo'n re-throwing of that device, irrespective of whether the sound box thereof remains in the position wherein it stopped or has been restored to its left-hand position (as because of If at the time of such stopping of the system a rst of the phonographs had proceeded to or beyond the point where it had started the second, whether or not the first had yet stopped itself, and assuming `the second not yet to have opened up its protective switch, the operation resumption upon manipulation of device 8l will, entirely acceptably, be of the second phonograph only. If both phonographs have. opened their protective switches (by -virtue of at least substantially completed sound box travel in cach) neither, entirely acceptably, will start unless the attendant has after both those switch openings restored leftwardly the sound box of at least that one phonograph which was last in operation, in which event that one will start. In the sole event that the last operating phonograph has been stopped with its end switch arm Il (or |I') in a position intermediate contacts 6-5 (or i'5.') and 3-2 (or 3'-2')i. e., having opened the protective switch (or 85') without yet having closed the successive starting switch 32 (or 32D- will there be a failure of the system automatically to restart upon l'eftward throwing. of device 8l; possibilities of this are rendered utterly negligible by as close a spacing of tho respectivecontacts as is consistent with certainty of non-bridging thereof by the arm Il (or |3'). It will be understood that in general. the presence in circuit of the selector relay, as above described, does not affect the operation of the automatic system of starting and stopping circuits throughout the continued energization of that system. For, as the magnet (2 21') in the starting circuit of either phonograph'is actuated by closing of the successive starting switch in that circuit, the selector relay is thrown so that its application of conductor I2 potential occurs into that circuit--Which circuit, so long as there occurs neither the closing of another successive starting switch (withre-throwing of the relay) or de-energization of the automatic system (by switching device has been opened and remains open at its start magnet series contact (23, 23'), and is therefore unresponsive to the relay.

As illustrated in Figure 1, when switching device 80 is leftwardly thrown both contacts 3 and 3' are rendered at conductor |2 potential, this energizing (though of course not in itself causing the functioning of) all the starting circuits. It is not necessary, however, that all the starting circuits remain energized throughout the period during which device 8.0 remains so thrownit is obviously sufcient that there be energized at any time that one of the starting circuits which is next to function. But it has been shown above that with the illustrated arrangements the arm 231 causes conductor "I2 potential application to the conductor 40 or 40 of the starting circuit of that phonograph (A or B, respectively) which is next to operate. Accordingly the energization of the starting circuits, instead of being continuous for all throughout the mentioned period, may if desired be alternately and selectively effected through the arm 231 and conductors 4l and Il'. This has been illustrated in the vfractional Figure la, whose two portions illustrate for the respective phonographs the sound box-operated switching means (e. g., switches 65, 32, 4I) and immediately associated wiring. Herein it will be seen that jumpers 35 and 35 connect the respective contacts 3 and 3' to the respective contacts 5 and 5'-and thus to the respective conductors l0 and 40. Jumpers 35 and 35' thus replace the jumpers 34 and 34 of Figure 1, which are in this case omitted.

For intelligent operation of any system of the nature herein dealt with, there is highly desirable the provision of indicating means whereby the dictator may be apprised of the condition of the phonographs-and preferably also whereby the attendant may be guided in'his attention to the phonographs. The indicating means must be equally responsive to operations performed at the control station and those performed by the autot matic system; they are preferably of sucha form and so included in the system that they do not require additional conductors between the phono'- graphs and the control station, or other material complication of the system wiring; and their circuits should in any event be largely integral with the operating circuits of the system to minimize chances of either failing without the other-i. e., to maximize thc depend .bility of the indications.

nicely meet this specification.

Attention may now be directed to the indicating means illustrated in Figure 1; these comprise a portion in association with the phonographs proper for the benet of the attendant, and a portion in the control station C for the benefit of the dictator. The first of these portions is conveniently carried on the coupling unit D. and comprises a plurality of pilot lamps-one for each ot the monographs-illustrated as 2l. and '2li'. Theselampsmayconvenientlybeofthegasdbcharge (e. g. neon) type; and in that event of course require series current-limiting means, which have been illustrated as the resistances 25|, 25|. tive one thereof will be lit whenever the thereto corresponding phonograph is operating (excepting in that small last portion of its operation after it has started the other phonograph); and so that, when neither phonograph is operating, there will be lit that one lamp which corresponds to the phonograph which will next operate. This latter indication is of particular value to the attendant;

-for example, in case each phonograph requires manipulation (e. g., fresh record insertion, etc.) by him, he is by this indication enabled with maximum dispatch to perform that part of the requiredfmanipulations which is necessary to the immediate resumption of system operationi. e., the manipulation of that machine of which operation will rst be resumed. The arrangement of the lamps 250, 250 to perform these functions is readily carried out by connecting them between the conductorf|2a and the contacts 243, 243' c0- operating with the third pole or arm 241 of the selector relay, which arm will be connected to conductor Il. Withthe system as described, the arrangement of the lamps and contacts should be such that the lamp 250 for phonograph A will be lit when the relay arm 221 occupies its A position, and so on.

'Ihe other portion of the indicating means may comprise three lamps-conveniently of similar type and each in that case with series resistance' designated with a number greater by 1 than the respective lamp-in the control station. One of these lamps-which may be termed a stand-by pilot-is designated as 260 and is shunted between the switching device poles 80p (i. e. conductor |2a) and contact 80n (i. e., conductor I2C). It will be obvious that when switching device 80 is leftwardly thrown ,(for operation of the phonographs) this lamp will be short-circuited and therefore unlit. While device 80 remains rightwardly thrown (and the system thus out of operation) this lamp will be lit-provided the system' is in condition to resume operation upon leftward throwing of device 80. This proviso is enforced by the fact that the circuit for current for the lamp from conductor Il to the conductor I2c lies through the control arm (e. g., 21), start magnet series contact (e. g., 23), start magnet station are designated as 210 and 210'or phono- (e. g., 2|), protective switch (e. g., 65) and starting circuit conductor (e. g., 40) of that phonograph which is next to start-or in other words is co-extensive with substantially the entire starting'circuit of that phonograph. Any conditionr lighting; this gives the dictator an especially positive indication of the availability of the system for assured starting at his will. y

The other two indicating lamps in the control graph A and phonograph B pilot lamps respectivelyand are shunted from the respective contacts h and 80h' (i. e., from the respective conductors 54a and 54a' to the poles 80p (i. e., con- .ductor 12m); thus both will be extinguished whenever switching device 80 is rightwardly thrown (and the system thus out of/operation). When that switching device is leftwardly thrown (for'operation of the phonographs) each of the The lamps are arranged so that a respecgraph is operating. From still another point of View, when the illustrated connection of the Y motors to the respective vstop-magnet series contacts 22 and 22 is followed, the lamps 210 and 210' are connected through the respective stop magnets 20 and 20 immediately in parallel with the respective motors. Analogously to the case of the stand-by pilot, the circuit arrangements for the phonograph pilots-whereinl their currents areA drawn through portions of respective circuits of the automatic system (including certain respective magnets)-obviously result in especially positive indications to the dictator of the operation or non-operation of the respective phonographs.

It` will of course 'be understood that with th illustrated arrangements of stand-by and phonograph pilot lamps to draw current through certain magnets of the magnet assemblies |00 and |00', it is important that the current drawn by the lamps be dependably less than that required to actuate those magnets.v This speciiication is of course readily met with the preferred and illustrated gas discharge lamps, with series resistance which may be in value 4of theorder o several tens of thousands of ohms.

One of the features of the arrangement of phonograph A and control station C in Figure 1 is the preservation of their utility for use, with minimum wiring revision, without further phonographs (e. g., B) and coupling unit D, to form a. remotely controllable single phonograph system; their use in such capacity has been illustrated in Figure 2. Herein it will be seen that the control station C, as to both its several components and its internal wiring, is quite identical with that of Figure 1. 'As to components the phonograph A of Figure 2 is quite identical with that of Figure 1,

excepting that there is desirably additionally included therein a high resistance 28| shunted from the non-contact extremity of start magnet 2| to conductor for a purpose which will hereinafter be apparent. (Note is here made that for purposes of greatest interchangeability a resistance such as 20| may be similarly included in the phonograph A of Figure 1, and/or of phonograph B of that gure, with no harmful result to the functioning of that system.) As to purely internal wiring the phonograph A of Figure 2 is,

quite identical with that of Figure 1. But of course there are omitted all conductors proceeding in the circuit of Figure 1 from components within phonograph A into the coupling unit D or therethrough into the phonograph B-i. e., conductors 30, 50' and 55a; and the rightward extensions from phonograph A.` of the conductors 12a, 12b and lZc are of course omitted. The only actual changes of wiring are the following: Conductor Eilal,` formerly passing from the control station into -the couplingunit D, is now led to the non-contact extremity of staiv't magnet 2l through high resistance 282 (which maybe exvternal oi phonograph A) and conductor 283 (the latter thus taking the-place within phonograph A of the conductor 55a of Figure 1); and the conductor I2c, which in Figure 1 was-nowhere connected within phonograph A, is now led to the contact 5 (vacated by the now-removed conductor 40). Contact 2 may remain unconnected, as may optionally contact 3-either-jumper 34 or 35 now being unnecessary though innocuous.

Consideration being given to the system of Figure 2 for the moment Without reference to its indicating means, its operation will be seen to be purely a simplification of that of the system-of Figure 1. 'I'he successive starting switch 32 is idle, since there is no other phonograph to be started. The self-stopping switch automatically closes the stopping circuit, which is identical to that of Figure 1, when the sound box reaches its travel limit, actuating the stop magnet; this magnet as before may also be actuated directly from the control station by rightward throwing of switching device 80 to apply conductor I2 potential to conductor 54a. The starting circuit is of course simpliiied by the noninclusion therein of any successive starting switch located on any' other phonograph, and by the application of conductor' I2 potential (whenever switching device 80 is leftwardly thrown) through conductor I2c directly to the contact 5; the protective switch 65 is retained, however, and still serves to prevent the dictators starting the system (by leftward throwing of switching device 80) when the sound box is not in position for appreciable further travel.

The indicating means-in respect of the standby pilot lamp 260 and of the pilot lamp 210, indicating the rotation or non-rotation of the phonograph mandrelare obviously entirely similar to those of the system of Figure 1. 'I'he pilot lamp 210', however, can no longer serve any useful function insofar as a further phonograph is concerned, and is accordingly arranged in the instant system to give a different and now peculiarly useful indication. 'This is a Warning to the dictator of the approach of the sound box to the end of its travel; and the lamp 210' gives l this indication by lighting as the protective switch opens up, and remaining lit sov long as it remains open (and switching device 80 remains leftwardly thrown). The lamp 210 so lights for the vfollowing reason: It tends to be lit whenever switch 80 is leftwardly thrown, by virtue of its connection from conductor I2a through conductor 54a' and the series resistance combination 282--28I to conductor II; but so long as protective switch 65 is closed the conductor 283 (an intermediate point in the series resistance combination 282-28I) is therethrough connected to conductor I2c and through switching device 80 to conductor I2a, thus then shorting the serially connected .resistance 282 and lamp 210' and extinguishing the latter. It will be understood that the choice of an intermediate point in the high resistance combination 282- 28I', as a point in the circuit of pilot lamp 210' for connection to the contact 6 of switch 65,.

is dictated by the necessity for non-interference by any portion of the indicating means with the normal functions of the operating circuits.

While the system of Figure `1 is primarily adapted for sequential operation of the phonographs, it will of course be understood that it may when desired be specially manipulated (e. g.,

tion, by manually moving the arm IB or I8' of that phonograph suiliciently to close the associated successive starting-switch 32 or 32' but insuiiiciently to close the associated self-stopping switch 4I or 4I'. Thus a second of the phonographs is started and Will operate in unison with the rst-mentioned, each phonograph stopping itself as usual at the end of its sound box travel. A similar practice for starting a second of the phonographs may be carried out by the attendant if he wishes to stop the iirst machine before its record is completely filled, as for purposes of removal of that record-the arm I8 or I8 of the first phonograph, ,after a slight interval of joint phonograph operation, being subsequently manually moved all the way to close the self-stopping switch 4I of the rst phonograph.

And while throughout the specification I have described the phonographic systems and, their operations, and the various features of my invention, in terms of speciiic embodiments thereof, I intend thereby no unnecessary limitations;

rather I intend in the appended claims to claim my invention, and all its novel sub-combinations, elements and individual features, as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

I claim:

1. In combination, a plurality of phonographs; an automatic system energizableat will to maintain the same in sequential operation, said system consisting of a plurality of interconnected control devices providingand responsive to momentary actuations only; a switch closed when said system 'becomes energized; and circuit means, controlled by said switch and serially including a selecting device controlled by the phonographs for selecting therebetween, for starting a single one of said phonographs.

2. In combination, a plurality `of phonographs;

an automatic system energizable at will to mainsame in sequential operation, said system including a plurality of stopping means for the several phonographs respectively; means movable selectively to energize said automatic system and to actuate the stopping means of all operating phonographs and circuit means, operated when said movable means is moved to energize said system and serially including a selecting device controlledby the phonographs for selecting therebetween, for starting a single one of said phonographs. 4

4. In combination, a plurality of phonographs; an automatic system energizable to maintain the same in sequential operation, said system including a plurality of stopping means for the several phonographs respectively; means movable selectively to energize said automatic system and to actuate the stopping means of all operating phonographs and circuit means, operated when said movable means is moved to energize said system and serially including a selecting device controlled by the phonographs for selecting therebetween, for starting the last precedingly started said phonograph.

5. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, a plurality of starting means, each responsive to momentary actuation, for placing the respective phonographs in sustained operation; anautomatic system energizable at will progressively to actuate said means and stop said phonographs for sequential phonograph operation; and circuit means, operated when said automatic system becomes energized and including a selecting device operated by the phonographs for selecting between said starting means, for actuating a single one of said starting means.

6. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, a plurality of starting means, each responsive to momentary actuation, for placing the respective phonographs in sustained operation; an automatic system energizable to progressively actuate said means and 4stop said phonographs for sequential phonograph operation; means movable selectively to energize said automatic system and to place all said phonographs out of operation; and circuit means, operated when said movable means is moved to energize said system and including a selecting device operated by the phonographs for selecting between said starting means, for actuating a single one of said starting means.

7. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, a plurality of starting means, each responsive to momentary actuation, for placing the respective phonographs in sustained operation; an automatic system energizable to progressively actuate said means and stop said phonographs for sequential phonograph operation; means movable selectively to energize said automatic system and to place all said phonographs out of operation; and circuit means, operated when said movable means is moved to energize said system and including a selecting device operated by the phonographs for selecting between said ystarting means, for actuating the last precedingly actuated starting means.

8. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination. a plurality of electrically actuable means lor starting the respective phonographs; means (or maintaining said phonographs in sequential operation, including a plurality of switches each operated by a respective phonograph to actuate the starting means of another phonograph; and means for starting said sequential operation, including an automatic selecting device, said device comprising a plurality of switch means respectively connected in parallel with the several said switches, and means controlled by the phonographs for wholly alterrately closing said switches.

9. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each comprising a respective coil, for starting the respective phonographs; means for successively actuating said starting means to maintain sequential phonograph operation; and means for starting said sequential operation, including an automatic selecting device having a plurality of coils each connected with a respective one of said first-mentioned coils for actuation simultaneously therewith.

10. A system of plural phonographs having, in

combination, a plurality of electrically actuable means for starting the respective phonographs,

each said means being arranged for open-circuiting in response to actuation thereof; means for successively actuating said starting means to maintain sequential phonograph operation; and means for starting said sequential operation, including an automatic selecting device having a plurality of coils each connected for simultaneous actuation with a respective one of said starting means, and means for open-circuiting each said coil vupon actuation thereof until the actuation of another of said coils.

11. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, means energizable at will to place and maintain said phonographs in sequential operation; a selecting device, controlled by the phonographs in their preceding operations, for determining the iirst of said phonographs to start upon next ensuing energization of said iirstrecited means; and means, connected with and vcontrolled by said selecting device, for indicating in advance of said energization thatphonograph which will rst operate upon said energization.

12. A system of plural phonographs having, in combination, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each comprising a respective coil, for starting the respective phonographs; means for maintaining said phonographs in sequential operation, including a plurality of switches each operated by a respective phonograph-to actuate the starting means of another phonograph; and means for starting said sequential operation, including an automatic selecting device having a plurality of coils each connected with a respective one of said first-mentioned coils for .actuation simultaneously therewith, and a plurality of switch means respectively connected in parallel with the several said switches.

13. In a system including a phonograph and means for operating the same: a device momentarily actuable to influence the operation ofsaid phonograph; means responsive to actuation of said device for open-circuiting said device; a switch closable to supply power toV said device to actuate the same; high-resistance indicating means shunted across said switch to draw power through said device; and additional means for actuating said device, said indicating means being open-circuited by said open-circuiting means upon actuation of said device by either said switch or said additional actuating means.

14. In a system including a phonograph: a device momentarily actuable to start and a device momentarily actuable to stop the operation of said phonograph; means for open-circuiting each of said devices upon the actuation thereof and until the actuation of the other; a switch closable to supply power to one of said devices to actuate the same; high-resistance indicating means shunted across said switch to draw power through 'said one device; and additional means for actuating said one device, said indicating means being open-circuited by said open-circuiti ing means upon actuation of said one device by either said switch or said additional actuating 

